On-off outlet

[jwarner964]

Hi everyone

 

I live in MN and wanted to use the on-off outlets to control my Xmas lights outside. Do they work in the cold ? 

 

Thanks, Jeff

[paulbates]

Hi Jeff

 

Yep. I have 3 outletlincs for my yard and Christmas lights, used them for a number of years. I'm in southeast Michigan and we can get down to -20F.

 

Most insteon devices draw a small amount of current to operate and that keeps them operating, even colder than spec'd in my experience. 

 

The outletlincs are fussy about line noise. I have a low voltage yard lighting transformer that plugs directly in. If I don't have a filter in between, the outlet linc eventually stops responding. I'm not sure if dual band changes that, my outletlincs are fairly old.

 

Paul

[mwester]

I'm just next door (well, sort of -- a state away).  I've been using the older ApplianceLinc's in a pole barn to turn on/off block heaters, turn on/off the ice-melting cable on the roof, and the same building has a bunch of ancient Insteon switches, a newer keypadlinc, and (oddly enough) one of the Insteon LED bulbs.  Not a one of these has had any trouble attributable to either summer heat or winter cold.  (They have trouble communicating when the welder's running, but that's not unexpected!)

[Teken]

As others indicated many of us living in the colder regions have had great success with Insteon products controlling outdoor appliances. It goes with out saying using these devices well outside of the operating range the product was designed for.

 

Can't be blamed on the vendor should you see a early failure.

 

The stated operating range is 32'F to 104'F / 0'C to 40'C.

 

This newly released dual band - dual controllable outlet is one of the best upgraded products Smartlabs has come out with yet. Almost all of the spec's on this device surpasses the older one by two times.

 

- 250 RF range line of sight

-1000 volt surge protection

- <0.4 watts idle consumption

 

It should also be noted this device is only rated to control incandescent loads and not LED's. Regardless, I've had no issues doing so in my X-MAS set up but YMMV here.

 

Last but not least a purpose built outdoor module is made available from Smartlabs even though its not as stealthy but is designed to do so:  http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2634-222-on-off-outdoor-module-dual-band.html

 

NOTE: Please ensure that the upstream outlet that powers this Insteon outlet is on a GFCI or on a GFCI breaker.

[larryllix]

....

 

Last but not least a purpose built outdoor module is made available from Smartlabs even though its not as stealthy but is designed to do so:  http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2634-222-on-off-outdoor-module-dual-band.html

 

NOTE: Please ensure that the upstream outlet that powers this Insteon outlet is on a GFCI or on a GFCI breaker.

I just got me one of those, them, thar, thin's. (Outdoor Module)

I am sitting parallel with  the top of Upper Michigan state,  in latitude, but Ontario,  but haven't experienced much real cold yet this winter.

 

The units has worked flawlessly, so far this winter, at the end of a 30' Christmas light extension cord mounted on a metal lawn chair fed by a GFCI receptacle. It turns my light sequencer on and off about 5-6 times per evening every hour on the half past.

 

The button is encapsulated in rubber and the device seems totally sealed against water penetration. Good hard metal box and almost bullet proof cord and receptacle. OK not so important in Canada but tough plastics with sealed joints.

 

I don't know why this thing would be dual band being in a completely metal box but maybe the cord acts as an antenna.

[Teken]

I just got me one of those, them, thar, thin's. (Outdoor Module)

I am sitting parallel with  the top of Upper Michigan state,  in latitude, but Ontario,  but haven't experienced much real cold yet this winter.

 

The units has worked flawlessly, so far this winter, at the end of a 30' Christmas light extension cord mounted on a metal lawn chair fed by a GFCI receptacle. It turns my light sequencer on and off about 5-6 times per evening every hour on the half past.

 

The button is encapsulated in rubber and the device seems totally sealed against water penetration. Good hard metal box and almost bullet proof cord and receptacle. OK not so important in Canada but tough plastics with sealed joints.

 

I don't know why this thing would be dual band being in a completely metal box but maybe the cord acts as an antenna.

 

Larry,

 

That is probably one of the few Insteon devices I personally don't have. Thus far I haven't needed an actual outdoor module to control anything in the yard.

 

I too am interested in how the RF signal is able to penetrate the metal casing? Since I have never open one up my assumption is they use the case as a radiated antenna. As the antenna could not be incorporated into the whip of the power cord.

 

As that would be against UL / cUL for obvious safety reasons.

[larryllix]

Larry,

 

That is probably one of the few Insteon devices I personally don't have. Thus far I haven't needed an actual outdoor module to control anything in the yard.

 

I too am interested in how the RF signal is able to penetrate the metal casing? Since I have never open one up my assumption is they use the case as a radiated antenna. As the antenna could not be incorporated into the whip of the power cord.

 

As that would be against UL / cUL for obvious safety reasons.

Yeah the receiver part of the RF would be no problem but you don't start transmitting an RF signal inside a metal box without risking damage to other components with the standing waves created, let alone the output transistors not having their power absorbed.

 

This is a Radio guy's nightmare. My thoughts are SH never even thought about this and the board has the same guts as all the rest. maybe in the spring I should open this one up and take some pics. 'As long as we can put the "dual-band" sticker on it.'

 

 

EDIT: Ohh!   Brian to the rescue...

[MWareman]

 

 

Last but not least a purpose built outdoor module is made available from Smartlabs even though its not as stealthy but is designed to do so: http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-2634-222-on-off-outdoor-module-dual-band.html

 

NOTE: Please ensure that the upstream outlet that powers this Insteon outlet is on a GFCI or on a GFCI breaker.

I've been using a 2456S3E for a number of years now, still performs flawlessly (Chicago area, so some pretty chilly winters as well). Designed for outdoor use, but single band. I don't think they sell them anymore though.

[jwarner964]

Thanks everyone for the input I will get some outlets and start controlling my Xmas lights

 

Thanks, Jeff

[k5map]

For those of you who have a On/Off outlet outside... I do not have an existing outlet near where my Xmas lights are placed.  Anyone have an idea of how I can use the On/Off module with an extension cord outside?

[paulbates]

The 2634-222 outdoor module is designed specifically for that purpose.

 

As an alternative if you have on hand inventory, I put appliance modules in zip up heavy plastic sandwich bag if I can hide it from view so it does not get wet. I have one outside I use turn on a critter deterrent light under my deck.

[Teken]

For those of you who have a On/Off outlet outside... I do not have an existing outlet near where my Xmas lights are placed.  Anyone have an idea of how I can use the On/Off module with an extension cord outside?

 

Using this or similar is perfectly fine: http://www.lowes.com/pd_238102-53911-CSNMG-NG_1z0xc75__?productId=3142197&pl=1

 

NOTE: As stated regardless of the method used to connect the load the upstream supply must be protected via a GFCI outlet or GFCI breaker . . .

[larryllix]

Lots of pvc tape over connections and a box or waterproof bag around the whole connection point. Just keep snow, rain and running water out of it and they work fine.

 

I have mine plugged into a X10 appliance module suspended in the air under my porch overhang. Not a problem if the wet doesn't get in.

[Tunaman]

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